Live Racing Season Gets Underway on Friday, March, 30

HOUSTON, TX - Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 2018 Quarter Horse racing season on Friday, March 30. The 20-day meet continues through Saturday, May 12.

Twelve stakes will be contested highlighted by the 25th running of the $100,000-added Sam Houston Futurity (G2) on Saturday, April 28. Trials for the final will be run on Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7. Past Sam Houston Futurity winners include Azoom, All American Winner, 2014 AQHA Champion 2-year-old Kiss My Hocks, Especially Tres, Ivan James and 2017 victor This Is An Eagle.

The Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G2) is set for Saturday, April 21 with the winner earning a berth into the Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1), which returns to Los Alamitos in 2018. Two AQHA world champions, Jessies First Down and JRC Callas First have won the 440-yard regional qualifier at Sam Houston Race Park.

Friday and Saturday post times for the 2018 Quarter Horse Meet will be 7 pm and 6 pm, respectively. Matinee racing will be offered on Monday afternoons at 12 noon and a special post time of 1:00 pm is set for Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday, May 5.

Matt Crawford, racing secretary for the northwest Houston racetrack, reports that all systems are go for the return of Quarter Horse racing, which follows the current
Thoroughbred live racing season.

“We have strong interest from many loyal Texas horsemen as well as several new outfits this year,” said Crawford. “Many of our Sam Houston Futurity winners have shown their talent in the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs and other nationally acclaimed events later in the year. We look forward to an exciting live racing season!”

Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston. The Park offers a variety of attractions including our Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the race track and accommodating groups from 20 to 300 people, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.

2018 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule

March 31, 2018

$20,000 Harris County Stakes 3 YO & Up 550 yards

April 14, 2018

$15,000-added Sam Houston Maiden Classic 3 YO & Up 350 yards

$20,000 Miss Sam Houston Stakes F & M 3 YO & Up 330 yards

April 21, 2018

$50,000-added Bank of America Challenge (G2) 3 YO & Up 440 yards

April 28, 2018

$100,000-added Sam Houston Futurity (G2) 2 YO 330 yards

$25,000 Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes 2 YO 330 yards

$35,000-added Sam Houston Derby (G3) 3 YO 350 yards

April 30, 2018

$15,000-added Colors of Houston Paint Juvenile 2 YO 300 yards

$15,000-added Colors of Hou Paint Maturity(G2) 3 YO & Up 350 yards

May 4, 2018

$20,000 Sam Houston Stakes 3 YO & Up 350 yards

May 12, 2018

$50,000 Sam Houston Classic (G2) 3 YO & Up 440 yards

$25,000 Governors’ Cup Marathon 3 YO & Up 870 yards

$15,000 Texas Twister 3 YO & Up 110 yards

A complete list of the 2018 Quarter Horse schedule, including trial dates, is available on shrp.com.